{"id":24274,"date":"2017-10-24T09:48:56","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T16:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vps39547.inmotionhosting.com\/~advokids\/?page_id=24274"},"modified":"2022-01-24T14:00:50","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T22:00:50","slug":"information-for-relatives-nrefm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adevine.io\/advokids-backup\/legal-tools\/information-for-relatives-nrefm\/","title":{"rendered":"Information For Relatives and NREFM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Information for Relatives and NREFMs<\/h2>\n

\"Relatives\"<\/p>\n

When a child is detained by the county social services agency, the agency has certain legal obligations to identify and notify relatives (including siblings) of the child\u2019s removal. \u00a0The county agency also has a legal obligation to assess those relatives and\/or non-relative extended family members (NREFMs) for placement. \u00a0In addition to the county agency's legal obligations, the juvenile dependency court has the obligation to make certain inquiries and findings at the detention and disposition hearings related to the child's placement.<\/p>\n

This section outlines the agency and court's duties and obligations with regard to a dependent child. \u00a0When these duties and obligations are not performed, certain rights and remedies are available to relatives and\/or NREFMs to address the agency and\/or court's failures.<\/p>\n

If you are a relative or NREFM currently caring for a foster child, please visit our For Resource Families page<\/a> for information about how to best advocate for the child in your care. Other resources for relative caregivers are available at Kinship Care CA.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are a relative caregiver who is caring for a child who doesn't qualify for foster care payments, you may be eligible for Approved Relative Care (ARC) funding.\u00a0 For more information, please visit this webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:<\/p>\n

Legal Definition<\/a><\/p>\n

The County Agency's Role and Legal Obligations<\/a><\/p>\n

The Court's Role at Detention and Disposition:\u00a0 Inquire About Relatives and Make Findings on Agency's Due Diligence in Locating Them<\/a><\/p>\n

Rights and Remedies Available to Relative and NREFMs<\/a><\/p>\n

Placement of the Foster Child<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

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\n\t\tLegal Definitions<\/span>\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
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  • Relative<\/li><\/h4><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    An adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words \u201cgreat,\u201d \u201cgreat-great,\u201d or \u201cgrand,\u201d or the spouse of any of these persons, even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution.\u00a0 Welfare and Institutions Code \u00a7 319(f)(2)<\/a><\/p>\n

    This term includes a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, great-grandparent, great-aunt or great uncle (grandparents\u2019 sibling), first cousin, great-great grandparent, great-great-aunt or great great uncle (great-grandparents\u2019 sibling), first cousin once removed (parent\u2019s first cousin), and great-great-great-grandparent; a step-parent or step-sibling; and the spouse or domestic partner of any of the people described above, even if the marriage or partnership was terminated by death or dissolution.\u00a0 California Rule of Court 5.502(34)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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  • Non-Relative Extended Family Member\u00a0(NREFM)<\/li><\/h4><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    A \u201cnon-relative extended family member\u201d is defined as an adult caregiver who has an established familial relationship with a relative of the child or a familial or mentoring relationship with the child. The county welfare department shall verify the existence of a relationship through interviews with the parent and child or with one or more third parties. The parties may include relatives of the child, teachers, medical professionals, clergy, neighbors, and family friends. \u00a0Welfare & Institutions Code \u00a7<\/a>\u00a7<\/a>\u00a0362.7,<\/a>\u00a0361.3<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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  • Sibling<\/li><\/h4><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \u201cAs used in this section \u2018sibling\u2019 means a person related to the identified child by blood, adoption, or affinity through a common legal or biological parent.\u201d \u00a0Welfare and Institutions Code \u00a7\u00a7 309(e)(1),<\/a>\u00a0362.1(c),<\/a>\u00a016002(g)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \n\t\t The County Placing Agency\u2019s Role and Legal Obligations<\/span>\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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  • Conduct an Investigation to Identify and Locate Relatives<\/li><\/h4><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    Within 30 days of a child\u2019s removal from the home of his or her parent or guardian, if the child is in, or at risk of, entering foster care, the social worker must use due diligence in conducting an investigation to identify and locate the following adult relatives:<\/p>\n